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United Nations Award To Mr. Bock
- Subject: United Nations Award To Mr. Bock
- From: RANGOONP@xxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 30 Dec 1997 14:19:00
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 29, 1997--On International Human Rights Day,
December 10, 1997, Seattle Times journalist Paula Bock received a human
rights award from the Seattle chapter of the United Nations Association for
her article "A Land of War, A Journey of the Heart."
The Seattle Times and photojournalist Tom Reese also received recognition for
their contributions to the story, which was published in the newspaper as a
separate special section on September 28.
Bock's article chronicled her return to the war-torn Thai-Burma border in
search of two little girls whose village had been overrun by the Burmese army
earlier this year. Bock had met the children during an earlier visit to
Burma, when she had accompanied her husband during his tenure as a volunteer
doctor with the refugee population. Much of Bock's story focused on the
valor of physician and refugee, Dr. Cynthia Maung, who has spent the past
eight years establishing and running medical clinics for thousands of Burmese
refugees.
In accepting the award, Bock said, "It is a great pleasure to accept this
human rights award on behalf of Dr. Cynthia and the brave families of Burma,
who struggle so hard to live lives of peace despite the war. Telling the
story of Dr. Cynthia Maung was a real honor, both inspiring and
heartbreaking." Larry Dohrs, a Burma specialist with the Seattle Burma
Roundtable, noted that "It is crucial that the refugees be kept in the
international spotlight. Otherwise they can be raped, tortured and killed
with impunity. Paula Bock, Tom Reese and The Seattle Times have saved lives
by telling this story."
Reader and community reaction to Bock's story also has been powerful. More
than 400 readers of The Seattle Times have donated over $24,000, as well as
clothing, antibiotics, medical equipment and supplies to Dr. Cynthia's work.
Bock and Reese will present a slide show of their trip on January 13, 7:30
p.m. at the Elliott Bay Book Company at 1st Avenue South and South Main
Street in downtown Seattle. The entire section of "A Land of War" is
available in The Seattle Times lobby, downtown Seattle; and for viewing on
the World Wide Web at http://www.seattletimes.com/burma/ .
The Seattle Times is a locally and privately owned newspaper. Its family
shareholders represent the fourth generation of family ownership since the
newspaper was founded by Col. Alden Blethen in 1896. The Times is the winner
of two 1997 Pulitzer Prizes for Beat and Investigative Reporting, for a total
of seven Pulitzer Prizes.
CONTACT:
The Seattle Times
Bob Blethen, 206/464-2294
fax: 206/464-8539
www.seattletimes.com
KEYWORD: WASHINGTON NEW YORK
BW0114 DEC 29,1997